Enhancing HIV support services in Davao Oriental due to increasing cases
In an effort to combat the rising number of HIV cases nationwide, Davao Oriental, a province in the Philippines, is making significant strides in increasing accessibility to HIV testing and medications, particularly in rural areas. The Davao Oriental Provincial Health Office (DO-PHO) has been working tirelessly to expand services at rural health units and government hospitals across the province.
All 11 local government units (LGUs) in Davao Oriental now have trained counselors who provide free HIV counseling, testing, and patient monitoring services. Moreover, HIV medications are available for free at these facilities. The Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) in Mati City has established a dedicated dispensing hub, ensuring that patients can confidentially access their free HIV medications.
The DO-PHO's strategy emphasises accessibility in both urban and rural areas, with counseling and testing decentralised to LGUs to facilitate easier community access. The treatment hub at DOPMC will be dedicated to HIV patients, eliminating the need for them to travel to nearby cities for treatment services.
Dr. Reden Bersaldo, the provincial health officer for Davao Oriental, and Mark Jade Dela Cruz, the Provincial HIV and TB Program Manager, are leading the charge in this initiative. They are strengthening their advocacy and education campaign to encourage individuals to get tested for HIV.
Aside from encouraging regular testing, the DO-PHO is also reminding the public to always use protection to avoid contracting the disease. While individuals with high-risk sexual behavior are not compelled to get tested, the role of the DO-PHO is to advocate for regular testing and awareness about HIV.
Since 1993, there have been 298 recorded HIV cases in Davao Oriental. Between January and February of this year, seven new HIV cases were recorded. The privacy of individuals undergoing HIV testing is protected, as stipulated in the HIV law.
As part of their education campaign, the DO-PHO is going to schools and hospitals for awareness programs, HIV counseling, and testing. Recently, Kolokabildo sang Davao Oriental, an event where information about the province was shared, included sessions on HIV awareness and prevention.
The DOPMC plans to expand the dispensing hub into a treatment hub, offering counseling services and staff to facilitate services. This expansion aims to provide comprehensive care for HIV patients, making healthcare more accessible and convenient for them.
The DO-PHO's efforts in Davao Oriental are part of a broader strategy to increase accessibility to HIV testing and medications across the Philippines, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access the care they need.
- The Davao Oriental Provincial Health Office (DO-PHO) is expanding education about mental health, emphasizing the importance of regular testing for HIV and the use of protection to avoid contracting the disease.
- In addition to HIV, the DO-PHO is also focusing on improving access to healthcare for various medical conditions, such as those related to health and wellness, sexual health, and mental health.
- The DO-PHO is working with government bodies to ensure that the education provided in schools covers the importance of maintaining overall health and wellness, including sexual and mental health.
- By providing free counseling, testing, and patient monitoring services for HIV, the DO-PHO is demonstrating its commitment to improving the education system in Davao Oriental, encompassing not just academic learning but also health and sexual education.
